Chapter Text
Hitoshi found the house oddly quiet this morning, it was usually very loud, his parents fought pretty much all the time, another reason why Hitoshi loved school as much as he did, it was something away from them. He especially liked training after school with Aizawa then he could stay later, but eventually as the fighting when the teenage boy got mixed in, coming down or arriving home in the middle of an argument was a bad idea, you could get glass thrown your way or a smack or punch.
So when training finally ended today it was no surprise that Aizawa-sensei questioned the cut on his neck and faintly bruised cheek. His head burned with lies he could tell. The kids' train of thought was quickly interrupted when Aizawa made a proposition.
“I need to talk to your parents today anyway about your transfer to the hero course.” The man decided it wasn’t best to push on the subject yet, instead make a home visit disguised as a parent teacher talk, something that would also be happening.
You may think it was funny how much Hitoshi trusted his mentor to ride in his car, but Hitoshi has stayed at Aizawa and Yamada's house more than once when his parents were on a ‘business trip’. His head was leaning on the window watching the light raindrops race down the lightly tinted windows. He was quite honestly scared.
WHat if his teacher heard the yelling and fighting? It was rather embarrassing to think about in his head. Eventually he lifted his head seeing the small house come into view, it was by no means modern, it was quite rundown really, the grass was overgrown and the porch was cluttered.
When Hitoshi stepped out of the car and into the rainy weather he couldn’t hear anything, it was quiet, literally silent only the sound of the old, broken wind chime. He walked sluggishly with his bag over his shoulder and Aizawa followed behind him. He jiggled and messed with the door until it opened and he met with the smell of cigarette smoke and a few beer bottles on a side table, he grimaced when Aizawa entered the home.
Hitoshi made no effort to look at him, Hitoshi picked up the stray cat he always kept in his room, he snuck food in and left it in his room, letting her out his window into the messy backyard most of the time, he always left it open for the cat. He named it pop rocks. She was a mellow cat, like to curl up by him when he actually slept or sit on his desk when he studied.
“Mom?” He called out, “Dad!” It was too quiet. He continued on through the house looking in the two rooms, nope, Aizawa followed his protege instead of wondering, he did look at the several shattered photos, examining the contents of the once lively family.
They must be in the kitchen,the odor from earlier got stronger the closer he got, he very embarrassed, but it all wiped of his face and he visibly paled when he saw two bodies hunched over onto the small table, stabbed into the neck and something carved into their wrists a note in the middle of the table, Shinsoi threw up right then and there, and Shouta was quick to guide the kid away from the scene calling the police and making following Hitoshi when he got up to go into the bathroom and wash his hands.
He had already put his phone in his pocket when he watched Hitoshi throw up again in the toilet. “I knew it was too quiet. I thought they were still asleep! I- are they? I didn’t even go in the kitchen. I just ran out of the house this morning! I dont eve-!” He was rambling in a frenzy.
“Relax and take some deep breaths, kid you're going to make yourself sick again. I already called the police.” Shouta Aizawa was not prepared for this, and he himself was also in shock, one of the bodies was already decomposing and the fingers were turning black. One was just pale, maybe just barely alive, he didn’t bother with the note, decided to leave it to detectives and instead tried to calm down his student.
` Hito shi was shaking, Aizawa led him to the dirty sofa, carefully helping him sit down, he already heard the sirens in the close distance. He kneeled down so he was at eye level with the kid, and he could see a panic attack coming onto the teens face. It was becoming increasingly obvious he didn’t know how to handle it.
“Shinsou wiggle your fingers and toes okay? Can you do that?” Shouta saw that he was trying but it wasn't really working.
“Okay hey look, what is your favorite thing to do?” He was trying to take his mind off of it and focus on something else.
Hitoshi didn’t understand why Aizawa asked, but he was desperate to not feel like he was dying, he heard police enter the house in the background, Aizawa faintly telling them to go to the kitchen and leave him here. He was taking a while to answer, his brain looking for an answer as he felt like death. Still his sensei waited patiently.
‘T-train.”
Shouta half-heartedly smiled, if it weren’t for the situation he would smile, “Good job, what is your favorite kind of training?” He had a hand on Shinsou’s knee to maybe help him ground himself.
“When w-we sparr.”
Shouta smiled when he heard that, patting his knee.” Okay great, how about your classmates which one do you like the most?”
“Todoroki, he is quiet and doesn’t cause problems.” Shouta could see that he was more relaxed now and feeling better. So although he didn’t feel very confident in leaving him he promised HItoshi he would be back when a paramedic waved him over.
He could still see the shaking boy but was a distance away that the traumatized couldn’t wouldn’t hear, “The woman still has a pulse, faint, but a pulse so they’re taking her over to the University hospital, there was a note on the table, by the looks of it a vigilante who hunts abusers.” She explained “ When he is ready, get him checked out outside just in case.” She smiled heading over to the kitchen.
Shouta sighed and went back over to the teen, abused? He sat next to HItoshi instead of squatting on the floor. “There was a note, about your parents being abusers, by the looks of a vigilante that has done this a few times, want to tell me about anything?” He asked, shifting his gaze to look at the boy who intently stared at the floor.
“They fought a lot, and threw things.” It was a bland answer.
Shouta cocked his head, “Is that it?”
He watched Hitoshi shake his head no, a few tears coming to his eyes and Shouta’s jaw dropped a little and pulled him into a loose hug. That was when the sobbing started and Shouta held him a bit tighter, a little close to home really. He waited until HItoshi pulled back.
Hitoshi didn’t want to pull away from the hug, but he was embarrassed and the tears wouldn’t stop. The scene was one that would be burned into his brain for a long time. He leaned forward on the dirt green sofa, his head in his knees now and his hands resting on his neck.
Shouta made his move to speak, “They rushed your mom to university, she had a weak pulse, and I think it’s best we get you checked out just in case, alright kid?” They would go at HItoshi;s pace. It was odd though when SHinsou did respond.
He just nodded, compliant, usually he would add a remark but considering the events Aizawa wouldn’t bother him about and instead slowly walked with him to an ambulance, helping him into the back where he removed his shirt and Shouta saw some cuts and bruises grimacing at them.
“Alright hun, my name is Layla, i’m just going to clean these cuts and when we get to the hospital a doctor will look more thoroughly, is that alright?” She was young, Hitoshi saw her briefly when he got inside, short light brown hair that sat just above her shoulders, she had blue eyes and tan pale skin.
He nodded and didn’t flinch when he felt the stinging of the alcohol. He listened to his surroundings, the sound of the engine running as they were driven to the hospital, Aizawa didn’t leave him though, he was sitting in front of him, and for that Hitoshi was very grateful. His hands sat in his lap and he saw Aizawa bring out his phone.
“Were almost there hun.”
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He was now sitting in a waiting room, his mother was in surgery and the doctor had deemed him well enough to leave later. Aizawa waited with him, he bought a pack of skittles and offered some to the kid, and said if he wanted anything to ask, but Hitoshi didn’t want to waste his money and instead curled up on the chair.
Sure they weren’t the greatest parents, but they were still his parents, it was his fault, if he had just gone into the kitchen this morning, had called for help, maybe they would be okay. Or maybe if he didn’t sneak over to Kaminari for most of the night, due to fighting and come back only an hour before school he would’ve heard something, or if he skipped school today.
How was he so blindsided to not know anything was going on, he has to be observant if he wants to be a hero yet he couldn’t even tell his parents were seriously injured or dead. He was a failure. What was going to happen to him>Where would he go? He had no other family that would take him in. In reality those weren’t even his real parents, but they adopted him when he was young, his biological parents died in a car crash as far as he knew. That didn’t change the fact that he ahs lived with these people since he was six. They were his parents.
Suddenly the uncomfortable feeling of his spin on the arm rest of the chair was unbearable and he moved to sit properly. He was finding it difficult to keep his eyes open, part of him wondered if his mom did survive, would it be nicer around the house, because it was his dad who started hitting first and then his mom feeling overwhelmed took it out on him, maybe since he wouldn’t be there things would be okay.
Eventually Yamada had come in, it was getting late and Hitoshi could faintly hear him scolding his husband for only eating skittles and drinking a coffee. It made him smile a little, were they a happy couple? A thought that would make Hitoshi wonder for a while, he saw a head of blond hair come into view kneeling in front of him.
“Let’s get you something to eat since SHouta seems to be irresponsible.” Yamada smiled hand on HItoshi’s knee.
Although he wasn’t as close to Yamada as he was with Aizawa he still felt comfortable enough around him, after all he has stayed at his home before more than once, and even brought over his cat on occasion to keep him company.
“Mm not hungry.” Hitoshi mumbled curling in on himself.
Yamada furrowed his brows, “I know you're not, but you should try to, can you try that for me?” He asked HItoshi, watching him stand up, his eyes tired and distant as they took the elevator down to the nearly empty cafeteria. It was really late he guessed, due to the lack of people and the darkness outside the windows.
Hitoshi wasn’t a picky eater so when Yamada told him he would get him something he went to sit down at a table with little fear of what he would bring back. He chose a table near the wall, resting his head on the blue painted wall. Resting his eyes and listening to the quiet chatter as doctors and interns walked by, pushing the button on the elevator waiting for it to come down. He listened to the tray be set down in front of him and the chair opposite of him scoot out andi n again.
“Hey kiddo, I know you're tired, but you only have to eat a little.” he explained, offering some bread to the boy who shook his head no and picked up the small jelly pack. That made HIzashi laugh, the boy was just like his mentor, thought you could live off jelly packs and looked sleepy almost all of the time. Hitoshi didn’t bat an eye as he slurped on the pack of jelly. Setting it down when he was done. Leaning his head back, he felt sick.
“All you want?” HIzashi questioned lifting a brow as SHinsou weakly nodded.
“Alright if you're sure we can head back up.”
So the two did, standing in the elevator HItoshi was so tired he almost fell asleep as he leaned on the banister running along three walls of the elevator. His contacts were making his eyes feel really dry and made him more tired than he was.
“You're probably going to stay with us for a while.” Yamada spoke looking at HItoshi who 's head was still leaned back.
“Mhm, can we get my cat then?” Hitoshi knew that was probably rude, but he loved that cat.
Hizashi chuckled they would now have two cats, “Sure.”
Hitoshi hummed and continued resting his eyes even when the elevator door opened, it took Yamada tapping his shoulder to get him walking, he really wanted to sleep, to forget the day that just happened, he was lucky if he didn’t cry until later tonight when he was alone.
The trio sat for a few more hours, Hitoshi was growing impatient and annoyed, he was tired and uncomfortable, almost sweating it was hot in here. He felt nauseous and empty. Every time though he closed his eyes either a memory or the scene of his dying parents came to view, he didn’t want to cause anymore trouble for the two adults so he just sat there trying to not complain or yell when he dozed off and the scene kept playing.
About 15minutes later a surgeon approached the group and Hitoshi stood swaying lightly next to the two adults. The man had a grim expression that something was wrong, “There were many complications. She lost copious amounts of blood and unfortunately the places where she was stabbed were vital and although she was breathing, she was too weak to make it out, I’m sorry for your loss, can I speak with one of you?” The doctor asked looking at the two adults.
Aizawa went, Hizashi was better at dealing with an upset child than he was, and so he followed the doctor into the room, Hitoshi’s mother was in a sheet covering her face. It was cold and the doctor was flipping through a clipboard.
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Hitoshi’s eyes widened and he shakily sat down. It was his fault, his hands gripped weakly at the armrest and his right leg bounced quickly as he chewed his lip and his brows furrowed.
Hizashi was going to try and get his mind off of it, “Eri will be happy to see you, she’s staying with Midnight until tomorrow, she talks about coloring with you alot. I’m sure Jelly wi;; follow you around for awhile to, he is quite the nosy cat isn't he?” Yamada chuckled looking at Hitoshi who nodde not looking up.
Yamada leaned down and looked at Hitoshi’s face that was well hidden behind his hair, his face was splotchy and red, and he saw a small tear drop roll off his cheek that still had a trace of baby fat, and onto the floor.
“Oh kid.” It was all he said before he stood up and Hitoshi being Hitpshi followed his actions not registering that less than ten seconds later he was being hugged. He froze up, not really letting himself relish in the comfort of being hugged, because inevitably it would end. He did cry though, fat tears rolled down his cheeks and onto his short-sleeved shirt. He was still in the clothes they were training in, yuck.
“Can we get the cat tonight?” Hizashi was at least a little happy. Hitoshi felt comfortable to ask some questions..
The blond rubbed his back, “PLanned on it kiddo.” The man knew that SHinosu would have a long walk through this but if a half blind, skinny black cat named after a candy helped him through it then so be it. Jelly and Poprocks what a weird name if combined, JellyPoprocks.
Shouta came back shortly, “Do you want to go say goodbye Shinsou?” Aizawa asked, looking him in the eye sighing when he shook his head no.
“Alright, you don't have to, how about we get going?” He suggested seeing
Hitoshi’s eyes light up. Of course he wanted out of this dreaded place, he was itching to be out. The night was cold and rainy. Shouta sat in the backseat with Hitoshi, Aizawa would drive his car home and Yamada would drive his own, Hitoshi could pick whoever he wanted to go with. He had given Hitoshi a blanket that was in the back since his shirt was wet and he was probably cold from the rain. Shouta himself had thrown on the hoodie he had in Yamada’s trunk.
So now Shinsou was curled up on the leather seat, a blanket up to his chin and head leaned on the window watching the road pass as Hizashi drove. He really wanted his cat, she always offered comfort to him when he was frightened or sad, which was a lot of the time. He let a few stray tears drip onto the fuzzy gray blanket and listened to the two men quietly converse. He didn’t feel like talking so he turned his attention back to the road.
He shifted his gaze when he saw that there were still police in his driveway inspecting the scene, “Just get whatever you need, and your school things, we’ll go in with you.” SHouta assured unbuckling his seatbelt and shutting his door, Hitoshi doing the same and swiping away his tears. Yamada stayed back to talk to a police officer and Aizawa led him inside the house, making sure he didn;t go towards the kitchen, where most of the police were.
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“Any suspects yet?” Hizashi asked the detective who was writing something down.
The man put away his pen, “Yeah it’s the same exact motive as a few other murders in the area, a note and stabbed in the same places, we suspect the vigilante from the Han case a few years ago. We never caught the guy.”
“Well hopefully we catch him soon.”
The detective sighed, “Well I don’t know maybe it is for the best, there was evidence of violence and domestic abuse and battery in the house, lots of broken glass and beer bottles, Shattered photo frames.”
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Hitoshi opened his door stepping in, it was the cleanest room in the house. He always made sure it was clean, his school books sat neatly and his clothes were folded nicely in his drawers, the floor had no speck of dirt or any clutter and his bed was oddly not made, like he was running late and didn’t have time.
Hitoshi opened the window and a black cat jumped in, to which Hitoshi picked up hugging tightly and sitting down on his bed, the cat inturn circled around and laid down. She had a gray collar and her tail was just short of her nose.
“Take your time kid.” Aizawa said when he saw Hitoshi hurriedly throw things into a bag.
SHouta looked around the room. He saw not much that gave away a personality but analyzed a photograph, a purple haired woman and a white haired man, the woman seemed to be holding a child with lilac hair, a boy, he had large smile on his face, and the man held a four year old girl who was smiling and had her hand waved at the camera.
“Was this your sister?” He asked, holding out the frame to which Hitoshi snatched.
The boy buried it in his bag, “Yes. She died when I was five and she was 9.”
“Sorry.”Shouta spoke, deciding to wonder about the house and give the boy some privacy.
Hitoshi looked at his phone. It was almost midnight and he was so tired and out of it. Shinsou finished packing a few articles of clothing and folded a blanket he had since he was born, it was worn or torn in a few places, but he never parted with it. He made his way into the bathroom taking hsi toothbrush, deodorant and some toothpaste. He took a hair tie and put up his hair dragging it away from his face. His face even looked tired, his skin felt tight though.
Shutting off the light he went back to his room where he felt a flashback like the moment of this morning, if he remembered correctly, he did question the smell of metal, blood apparently. He shook his head and finished packing some things up, setting his computer and journal in the bag. He took another photo from under his bed, just him and his sister, he didn’t remember her much, but he did remember he looked up to her, she was a good big sister. He remembered the night they passed, he was at a babysitters.
Aizawa came back in leaning in the doorway as Hitoshi slung the bag over his shoulder grabbing the cat.
“You ready?” He asked
Hitoshi looked around. He has been here for 9 years, he didn’t exactly want to leave it, “No, but yes.” He whispered.
“Okay kid, let's go home, you can get some sleep, don’t worry about school tomorrow either.” he said letting HItoshi walk in front of him, watching as the boy looked around the house at the police officers. He held the cat tightly to his chest, the cat was an older one that probably only had a year or so left in her.
They walked through the rain, “Do you want to go with me or Yamada?” Aizawa unlocked his car.
“Um you, if that’s okay.”
Aizawa smiled softly, “Sure thing kid, just put your bag in the pack I'll tell HIzashi.
SHinsou did as told and sat in the front with his cat keeping her close and nuzzling into her soft fur. She purred and curled up in his lap and he stroked her gently. He rested his head on the window again listening to the low music playing and watching the rain pound down as Aizawa got in the car setting into the seat running his hand through his hair and turning on the heat.
“If you get hot just turn it down or tell me.” Hitoshi didn't respond and he was out cold. SHouta laughed sadly, today was a shitshow that would last for years,you never get used to a murder scene.
The drive was silent, a low sound of jazz playing as he drove through the city. He himself couldn’t wait to sleep, the cat on HItoshi’s lap didn’t move she laid next her owner, loyal , shouta could tell that when the day came that the animal had to leave this world, it would probably kill the boy more than today, and that was something SHouta couldn't prepare for, but he hoped until that time that the cat would bring him comfort.
Shouta reached out his hand while keeping his hand on the wheel and eyes on the road and lightly scratched behind her ears listening to her purr. He pulled into the parking garage taking the hair tie from around his wrist and throwing hsi hair up in a messy bun and lightly tapping Hitoshi's shoulder.
He watched as Shinsou woke up, startled and scared, he calmed down quickly and tried to play it off, but SHouta caught it, but he didn’t mention it, the boy was drained. “We’re here now kiddo, I’ll take your bag.” He said jumping out and taking the bag from the backseat.
Hitoshi Waited a second before unbuckling himself and scoping up his cat, hugging her close. He followed close behind his teacher following him into the elevator, He saw Yamada’s car as they walked by, the man must be inside already. Hitoshi so desperately wants to go curl up in the guest room.
He found out a while ago the couple fostered a child every once in a while, and he really couldn’t wait to crash in the guest room and either sleep or cry. He walked slowly down the hall of the apartment building, he was so tired. His feet dragged and his eyes felt heavy. Shouta opened the door and Hitoshi kicked off his shoes and the cat jumped out of his arms to try and assert dominance over the younger cat.
“I know you're tired so you can just go to bed if you want, but if you want to take a shower or food, or even talk you know you can.” SHouta explained making his way to the kitchen and getting some water.
Hitoshi made his way to the guest room, Poprocks stopped playing with the cat named Jelly and followed him into his room, actually Jelly seemed to follow but the black cat gave no interest now that her owner was going into his room.
Hitoshi threw down the bag and pulled the covers back, never even turning on the light, though he did click the small lamp so it illuminated a small portion. The two cats both jumped onto the bed, Poprocks hissing when Jelly got too close to Hitoshi’s face. The black cat laid next to his head on the pillow and the other cat curled in on his side. He silently cried and eventually pulled himself to sleep with it.
He woke up around 3 only two hours later with labored breathing, he saw it again and clutched the blanket as he sat up throwing off his sweat covered shirt. The cat purred on his lap and she snuggled into him and he clutched her against him. He cried and cried into the soft coat of fur, he really needed someone right now, but didn’t want to wake anyone so he sat alone in his room and cried.
God it hurt so much, so much so he couldn’t explain it, sure he held a lot of resentment for the fighting and hitting, but it still hurt that his parents were dead, he was like a bad luck charm first his real parents and then them. HIs heart felt like it was twisting and rotting away and there was a dreadful pit in his stomach. He would probably end up being up all night and that he was.
He set aside the cat, never stopped crying and threw his journal on the desk taking out a pen, writing furiously he was mad and angry for no reason he was a mess, and he ended up scribbling on the paper, he held the pen down hard and ended up stabbing at the thick pad of paper, crying before melting into the back of the chair worn out, the cat had sat on the desk looking into him with green eyes.
He couldn’t tell if he was going to be sick again, and instead started crying harder, why was it hurting so much. He had ended up sitting back against the side of the bed, Jelly asleep on top, he didn’t even notice the door open. He didn't look at who it was, just hid his face away, maybe it was that murder coming to finish the job.
“Shinsou?” It was Aizawa.
God he was so stupid, his mentor was going to see him sobbing uncontrollably, he would be lucky if Shouta didn’t throw him out.
“Hey kiddo, what’s goin’ on?” Shouta asked, he knew what was going on, but for appearances sake.
SHinsou nodded his head no and leaned his head on Shouta’s shoulder, seeking any kind of comfort. Shouta put a hand around his shoulder lightly rubbing his arm, “You're alright kiddo, i’m here.”
That got Shinsou going, sobbing helplessly, it really did hurt and the scene wouldn’t stop playing. He wanted to gouge out his eye and claw at his brain. He was annoyed at how quick it was getting to him.
“The police are going to ask you some questions tomorrow.” Shouta said once the sobbing seemed to cease.
“Is it bad I wish they killed me too, I hate it.” That struck Shouta by surprise and he looked at the boy.
“I think you're letting it get into your head, which is normal, but yeah kid it’s bad, you got a lot looking good for you, don’t waste it. The um, the doctor suggested after a traumatic event maybe you talk to a therapist.” Shouta couldn’t finish.
“I don’t need a shrink, I'm not crazy.” He was firm and this was the first time he has ever gotten that way with his teacher, “Sorry i-”
“Don’t worry kid, we can talk about it later.”
Shouta stayed with him and Hitoshi fell asleep on his shoulder, traumatized and worn out. He didn’t leave Hitoshi alone that night instead stayed right next to him, not even moving when the two cats joined them. Though when the light outside seems to peer through he carefully got the boy into bed, but teenagers were heavy so he struggled a bit. Jelly followed him out of the room, but the black cat was adamant about staying by Hitoshi.
Shouta lied back down, he would get up in an hour or so, he had got someone to cover his patrol for him and he was thankful. Hizashi was asleep next to him, his snoring was something he never got used to, but he did like twisting the blond strands around his finger.
He was pulled closer and almost suffocated by his husband, he tried wiggling out pushing on his chest, struggling and HIzashi laughed, “Go back to sleep.” he yawned, closing his eyes again when he saw the time.
“Tch yeah yeah you shitass.”
Hizashi squeezed him a bit harder.